a quest for knowledge: designing with urban climate Summary 1. Research for design, PhD project 2. Research by design, PhD project 3. Design research urban climate, Arnhem 1
Thermal comfort experience in urban public space Research and design studies on Dutch urban squares Research project within WIMEK research school, WUR and Uni Kassel what is relation between microclimate perception and reality?? 2
Research for design generating knowledge and design tools that are usable in design measurements with the mobile mini- weatherstation 3
Research question 1 experience schemata What is the relation of human thermal experience schemata about a public space in comparison with its factual microclimate? map- comparisons experience and measured data example: experience too windy 4
Results thermal comfort experience schemata 1. the extreme wind measurement data explain long- term experience mechanisms better than averages, suggesting that more extreme microclimate events have a stronger impact on the schemata people develop about a place 2. these microclimate schemata, because they are based on extremes are generally more negative than positive Research question 2 microclimate and experience of spatial patterns Are there spatial typologies that are preferred or avoided with respect to microclimate experience? 5
analysis spatial patterns analysis spatial patterns windy in front of tall buildings windy in middle of squares entrances of street canyons foot of low buildings enclosed areas experience wind discomfort experience sun comfort 6
Results thermal comfort microclimate and experience of spatial patterns 1. mental maps seem to include spatial cues for microclimate: spatial configurations that are connected with certain microclimate properties 2. in comparison to factual microclimate (also see research part on schemata) these mental maps to a great extent do and a smaller extent do not match with scientific knowledge on microclimate Research question 3 proportion, openness and materials Are there specific spatial and materialization types that influence thermal experience? 7
1 main hypothesis thermal discomfort is perceived because of configuration and materialization of an urban place 3 subhypotheses: a. thermal discomfort can be influenced by too wide proportions of a square b. thermal discomfort can be influenced by a too open void space in a square c. thermal discomfort can be influenced by the use of materials with a cold appearance statistical analyses testing subhypothesis a: thermal discomfort can be influenced by too wide proportions of a square dependent variable thermal dis/comfort correlated with the independent variable: proportions of the square Tests of Between-Subjects Effects Dependent Variable: diffcomf Source Type III Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig. Corrected Model 134.024 8 16.753 1.698 0.095 Intercept 246.111 1 246.111 24.945 0.000 width 79.446 2 39.723 4.026 0.018 plein 9.013 2 4.507 0.457 0.634 width * plein 21.715 4 5.429 0.550 0.699 Error 6,768.111 686 9.866 Total 7,527.000 695 Corrected Total 6,902.135 694 a. R Squared =.019 (Adjusted R Squared =.008) subhypothesis a proven: thermal discomfort is influenced by too wide proportions of a square 8
statistical analyses testing subhypothesis b: thermal discomfort can be influenced by a too open void space in a square dependent variable thermal dis/comfort correlated with the independent variable: openness of the square Dependent Variable: diffcomf Tests of Between-Subjects Effects Source Type III Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig. Corrected Model 439.294 5 87.859 10.061 0.000 Intercept 397.563 1 397.563 45.526 0.000 open 370.249 1 370.249 42.399 0.000 plein 5.724 2 2.862 0.328 0.721 open * plein 46.166 2 23.083 2.643 0.072 Error 5,134.760 588 8.733 Total 6,102.000 594 Corrected Total 5,574.054 593 a. R Squared =.079 (Adjusted R Squared =.071) subhypothesis b proven: thermal discomfort is influenced by a too open void space in a square statistical analyses proposals of interviewees against the opnenness place flowers trees monuments/ art fountains/wa ter seats pavillions wind/rainscr eens others DenHaag 18% 23% 4% 2% 22% 2% 2% 13% Eindhoven 8% 12% 0% 0% 17% 1% 17% 2% Groningen 7% 29% 0% 8% 23% 2% 4% 10% average 11% 21% 1% 3% 21% 2% 8% 8% interesting: most proposals also have a significant impact on microclimate! 9
statistical analyses testing subhypothesis c: thermal discomfort can be influenced by the use of materials with a cold appearance dependent variable thermal dis/comfort correlated with the independent variable: materials cold/ warm Dependent Variable: diffcomf Tests of Between-Subjects Effects Source Type III Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig. Corrected Model 74.853 5 14.971 1.749 0.123 Intercept 259.473 1 259.473 30.322 0.000 matcw 66.795 1 66.795 7.806 0.006 plein 4.268 2 2.134 0.249 0.779 matcw * plein 6.625 2 3.313 0.387 0.679 Error 2,815.344 329 8.557 Total 3,375.000 335 Corrected Total 2,890.197 334 a. R Squared =.026 (Adjusted R Squared =.011) subhypothesis c proven: thermal discomfort is influenced by the use of materials with a cold appearance spatial analysis materials and cold/ warm appearance striking differences in perception of materials and their spatial distribution in different squares 10
First conclusions from research for design general: people in the street have quite a high acuity for interpreting the environment with respect to its probable physical microclimate???? why do designers have less knowledge???? practically speaking this means: avoid too square proportions of 0.20 and lower- better offer smaller subplaces or wind protection avoid too open squares- better offer sufficient vegetation and other elements that also improve or diversify microclimate in Dutch context avoid use of cold materials: cool colours, smooth texture, high reflectivity, high heat conductivity, rather use materials with warm appearance, colour and physical properties Research by design design for a climate responsive opti-model of Dutch squares 11
Physical approach, example Grote Markt Conclusion simulations: - southwesterly winds uncomfortable, mostly at southwest entrance and square centre - shadow study shows certain areas that are exposed to high irradiance the elements of the opti-model wind protection patterns solar radiation impact:/ shadow patterns 12
variations opti-model solar radiation impact:/ shadow patterns wind protection patterns Physical approach, Grote Markt Conclusion first design alternative: - southwesterly winds not sufficiently buffered - more protection needed 13
Professional Academy making Arnhem climate- proof: focus atmospheric climate cold air flows (based on the relief) come in the city of Arnhem 14
slope analysis valleys Obstacles: Buildings and elevated road/railways 15
16
17
5. Climatopes 18
19
Southwesterly winds 20
21
22
main questions: what can be multifunctional green and waterstructures in the city that also improve (micro-) climate? what shapes should these structures have? what sizes/ dimensions should these structure have? true transdisciplinary research required: application- oriented research for designers/ planners where landscape architects/ urban designers identify knowledge gaps from the practical field and try to fill these together climate specialists 23